Eight Killer Music Festivals To Catch in the Next Month

Eight Killer Music Festivals To Catch in the Next Month

We can’t believe August is almost over! We tend to be eternal optimists, and our proverbial music festival glass couldn’t be more half-full (with extra ice and a lime wedge please). Although we’re well into music festival season, Coachella, Glastonbury, and Splendour in the Grass have all come and gone--there are still a ton of festivals to catch in the coming months. Whether you’re looking to blow off steam after a challenging work week or just want to get some extended play out of a carefree mentality, here are eight incredible fests you can catch in the coming month.

1. Electric Zoo

When: Friday, August 30 - September 1
Where: NYC
Electric Zoo hits Randall’s Island this weekend. Over the course of two days the biggest names in EDM--Aviccii, Benny Benassi, and Flux Pavilion, to name a few will be throwing down. If you want to dig a little further, and we think you definitely should, favorites like Four Tet, Baauer, Moderat, Green Lantern, Just Blaze, RL Grime and more are also bringing their skills to this East River bash. Plus, rumor has it that they’re planning a killer afterparty too.

2. End of the Road

When: Aug 30-Sept 1
Where: Larmer Tree Gardens, North Dorset, UK
End of the Road is doing it right. With longer sets, emphasizing good food and drink (always a plus), and treating the entire line-up like headliners, this newer festival in southern England is making big waves. And End of the Road does have a truly great indie lineup. Tons of alternative powerhouses like Sigur Ros, Belle & Sebastian, David Byrne & St, Vincent, Dinosaur Jr., The Walkmen, Daughter, among many more are booked. Definitely mark this one on your calendars.

3. Made in America

When: Aug 30-Sept
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philly, PA
This Philadelphia festival has the heavyweight backing to put together a killer weekend. And it looks like they’re doing it right. Performing on the main stage, in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art AKA “The Rocky Steps”, are Beyoncé and Nine Inch Nails, supported by a huge line-up with highlight acts including Phoenix, Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, HAIM, Solange, AlunaGeorge, and Ab-Soul.

4. Bumbershoot

When: Aug 31 - Sep 2

Where: Seattle Center, Seattle, WA

With all the awesome festivals happening Labor Day weekend, this list wouldn’t be complete without something to cover our West Coasters and Bumbershoot definitely does the job. Sets we’re most looking forward to: Heart, MGMT, Alt-J, Allen Stone, Crystal Castles, !!!, Charles Bradley, Robert Glasper, Deerhunter, Baroness, and more. With that kind of diverse line up, what else could you ask for? Oh, you want a sick comedy line-up, too? No problem, they also have that--Reggie Watts, Patton Oswald, and Judah Freidlander to name a few. This is a festival for the history books.

5. Hopscotch

When: Sept 5-7

Where: Raleigh, NC

This incredibly diverse show in relaxing Raleigh, North Carolina is huge. And Awesome. With 175 artists in 15 venues around the city, this festival gives off the vibe of South By Southwest or CMJ without the clutter and chaos of those older festivals. With plenty of day parties, an artisan market, and city cultural series, there’s plenty to do all weekend long. Though Hopscotch sometimes falls under the radar compared to more globally-renowned festivals, it without a doubt ranks among the best fests in the US this year.

6. Rock The Bells

When/Where: September 7-8 in Los Angeles, September 14-15 in San Francisco, September 28-29 in Washington, DC, October 4-5 in New York

Rock The Bells is the way to get your your hip-hop fix. Taking place in LA, San Fran, DC, and NYC, this festival series is one of the largest in the US. It’d be harder to list who isn’t on these line-ups. Wu-Tang Clan, Kid Cudi, and the Black Hippy crew headline in LA, SF, and DC, while Pretty Lights takes over for the Black Hippy team in NYC, along with a “virtual performance” by ODB and Eazy E. Holograms for everyone!

7. Unknown

When: Sep 10-14

Where: Rovinj, Croatia

Unknown is a brand new festival and from the looks of it, may be one of the best of the year. Situated on the utterly beautiful Croatian Adriatic Coast, Unknown not only has amazing artists- Richie Hawtin, Jessie Ware, Sbtrkt, Jamie xx, Moderat, Four Tet, and tons more- but also features swimming pools, a golf course, and plenty of camping and lodging options.

If that weren’t enough, there will be art installations throughout the festival to explore and interact with. While in it’s first year, Unknown may become one of the highlight festivals of the year, with a perfect balance between music, art, culture, and exploration.

8. Mad Decent Block Party

When/Where: August 31 at Club Zouk Outdoors - 703 McKinney Ave. in Dallas, TX, Sep 7 at Whitewater Music Amphitheater in New Braunfels, TX, September 14 at LA Center Studios in LA, Sep 15 at Petco Park Lot - 100 Park Blvd. in San Diego.
We’ve been raving about the Mad Decent Block Party tour this summer, because it’s ruled. And it’s not over. Hitting LA and San Diego on 9/14 and 9/15 respectively, Mad Decent is bringing the party to LA Center Studios with the help of Major Lazer, Matt & Kim, and Riff Raff among others, and hitting Petco Park in San Diego with another round of Major Lazer, Zeds Dead, and Jack U. If it’s anything like their Toronto and Philly parties, you’re not gonna want to miss these.